Naso brevirostris

Datasheet

General Description
The Spotted Unicornfish, scientifically known as Naso brevirostris, belongs to the Acanthuridae family. This species is commonly referred to by various names including Shortnose unicornfish, Shortnosed unicorn tang, and Paletail unicornfish. It can grow up to 60cm in size and is distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, extending from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands.

Aquarium Suitability
The Spotted Unicornfish is not generally suitable for a home aquarium due to its large size and demanding needs. When fully grown, it requires a very spacious environment to thrive. It is essential to provide ample swimming space and consider that this species may not be suited for typical household tanks.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness
To ensure the well-being of the Spotted Unicornfish, a large aquarium with plenty of swimming space is necessary. This species primarily feeds on algae and requires a diet rich in algae-based foods to maintain optimal health. It is crucial to choose a healthy individual when acquiring one, ensuring it is active, displays normal behavior, and is in good physical condition. The Spotted Unicornfish is generally peaceful towards other fish species but may exhibit aggression towards similar species. In terms of hardiness, it is considered average.

Reef Suitability
The Spotted Unicornfish is known to be reef-safe, posing little to no threat to corals or invertebrates. However, it is essential to consider their size and potential territorial behavior when housed in a reef setting.

Aquarium Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Spotted Unicornfish, it is crucial to provide ample hiding places such as live rocks to accommodate their need for shelter. A well-established tank with a healthy algae population is recommended to facilitate grazing behavior. Maintaining proper water conditions with a pH range of 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025, and a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C is essential for their overall well-being.

Behaviour
The Spotted Unicornfish is known to spend a significant amount of time swimming and grazing on algae within the aquarium environment. It is advisable to observe their behavior closely and provide a suitable environment to minimize stress and ensure their comfort.

Feeding and Diet
This species predominantly feeds on small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia. Their diet should include a variety of algae-based foods such as macroalgae and microalgae like seaweed and spirulina to maintain their immune system and overall health.

Habitat and Distribution
The Spotted Unicornfish can be found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. They inhabit areas with sufficient algae growth and require a habitat that mimics their natural environment to thrive successfully.